The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-10-06

''Why, father, how ridiculous! she ex-
| claimed, while her mother and sister
drew near and looked on-the form
er with surprise, and Minnie quite
| aghast at such disappointment. ''The
idea" Julia went on, ''Of opening the
church, and having the organ played for a
ore doi'ar wedding" and she almost cried
with vexation. After listening to her re-
marks awhile, Mr. Halsey put his hand into
one of his vest pockets and drew out an
other dollar bill, which he laid upon the
first one. 1t was now Minnie's turn to
criticize 81 did think, father that Mr.
Benson was a generous man, when no
helped SO much to get you that encyclOpe-
dia last winter, but now l do not thiak he
is" Here her mother, always charitable
interpOsed. ''YOu know, my child" said
she, Mr.. Benson is a bcok-keeper, depend
ent on his daily earnings, and now his eX-
penses will be increased, and he probably
has not any money to waste" Il am sure
it would not be wasted IN this case" said
Julia, her cherished project beginning to
melt into thin air. Here Mr.. Halsey put
his hand into the other vest pocket and
produced a two-dollar bill. Then while
the girls looked on, quite speechless with
astonishment, he drew forth from one
the sum total of which amounted TO fifteen
dollar6. 81 thought l would play q little
JOKE upon you my dears," said he, ''and so
[ S opped at the bank on my way home and
exchanged the three five-dol 81 bills which
the envelope at first contained, for these
small ones. And now, perhaps, your mother
will SO out shopping with you" Mrs. Hal
sey gladly complied, at first getting the
mo al Rnh'S +:nIr
it would require little over ten yards OF
carpet. 1t did not take long to select
pretty piece. and as it was a rema ant
the proprietor charged them but five dol
lars and half for it. Ingram carpets were
higher in those days than now, 50 it was
really what is called "a bargain Asking
that il might be se:t up at once, the girls
had the satisfaction OF having it safely
snuggied away in their room, before Bub's
return from the base ball field. Hither
they repaired every day after school, to
sew the breadths together, although it
must be confessed the greater part was
the work of their mother while they were
at school. A few days yet renamed be-
fore the birthday, and Mrs. Halsey re-
marked: House cleaning time has come
round again, and think will begin to-day
SO. Bobbie, If you will take out the tacks
from your carpet before you go to school,
will commence with your room" Bob
readily consented, and although his floor
was bare FOR a dag or two, lie suspected
nothing, as he knew his mothers pro2en-
sity for darning old carpets, which she
used laughingly to cali her embroidery
work.
The morning OF the birthday dawued
bright and clear, and as it CHANGED to be i
Saturday, Bob asked leave to go with a
party of his schoolmates on fishing eX-
cursion. ''I'll bring home some fish for my
birthday present." said he, 'anI we will
have them for dinner" Then the girls and
their mother went to WORK, and Mr. Hal
sey, too, was impressed into the service TO
help. After the carpet was tackled down
and the new bedquiiG spread out to its best
advantage, all the fancy articles were dis
posed in their places, and then Mrs.
Halsey produced two pretty engravings:
| ''These snail be my present to Bo0bie, =
said she. ''and the frames are from
your father" After these were hung in
the best light the room seemed complete,
although If IL had been in these days. a
..spIasher' and a pair of ''pillow-5hams"
would probably have been considered IL
dispensable. Perhaps not the latter, how
ever, as these giris were fond of realities,
and did not care for shams of any kind. 1t
was nearly dinner time when Bob returned,
hot, tired and hungry; but the fishing ex-
cursion mad met with no f1attering success.
s'Y ou have just time to run up to your room
to wash and brush up" said his mother,
for dinner is nearly ready" The girls
stood at the foot of the stairs and heard his
surprised exclamations of 80, why!"
when he opened his door. and then. down he
rushed again. 20, girls, have you been
| fixing u? my room! Thank you ever so
much," ne said. and then gave each a
hearty kiss. 'sIots OF times have wanted
TO ask the fellows mp in my room, but was
ashamed OF the looks of it. Nei jackson
always invites us into dis room when we
| go TO see him; now mine is as nice as his,
aud it viii be jolly" Julia and Minnie